Barstow, California | |
|---|---|
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 Flag  Seal | |
| Motto: "Crossroads of Opportunity"[1] | |
 Location of Barstow in San Bernardino County, California | |
  Barstow Location within California Show map of California Barstow Location within the United States Show map of the United States Barstow Location within North America Show map of North America | |
| Coordinates:34°54′N117°1′W / 34.900°N 117.017°W /34.900; -117.017 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  California |
| County | San Bernardino |
| Incorporated | September 30, 1947[2] |
| Named after | William Barstow Strong |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council-manager[3] |
| • Mayor | Timothy R. Silva |
| • City council[7] | Carmen Hernandez, James Noble, Barbara M. Rose and John "Tex" Williams |
| • City treasurer | Michael Lewis[4] |
| • City manager | Rochelle Clayton[5] |
| • City clerk | Andrea Flores[6] |
| Area | |
• Total | 41.34 sq mi (107.08 km2) |
| • Land | 41.30 sq mi (106.96 km2) |
| • Water | 0.042 sq mi (0.11 km2) 0.02% |
| Elevation | 2,175 ft (663 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 25,415 |
| • Density | 615/sq mi (237.6/km2) |
| Demonym | Barstonian |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (Pacific Time Zone) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 92311–92312[10] |
| Area codes | 442/760[11] |
| FIPS code | 06-04030 |
| GNIS feature IDs | 1652670,2409790 |
| Website | www |
Barstow is a city inSan Bernardino County, California, in theMojave Desert ofSouthern California. Located in theInland Empire region of California, the population was 25,415 at the2020 census. Barstow is an important crossroads for the Inland Empire and home toMarine Corps Logistics Base Barstow.
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Prehistoric Native American tribes inhabited the region as long as 3,000 years ago. The Native Americans hunted, fished and gathered turquoise. The indigenous people left hardly any discernible footprints along faint pathways as they traveled up to the Mexican territory to trade goods. The written history of the Mojave Valley dates back to the 1700s and the missionary excursions of Spanish Franciscan friarFrancisco Garcés. Garcés followed the earliest faint footpaths to the Mojave River Valley and from there across the desert around Barstow on his way to Spanish missions beyond the mountains of California.[12]
The settlement of Barstow began in the late 1840s in theMormon Corridor. Every fall and winter, as the weather cooled, the rain produced new grass growth and replenished the water sources in theMojave Desert. People, goods, and animal herds would move fromNew Mexico and laterUtah to Los Angeles, along theOld Spanish Trail fromSanta Fe, or after 1848, on theMormon Road fromSalt Lake City. Trains of freight wagons traveled back to Salt Lake City and other points in the interior. These travelers followed the course of the Mojave River, watering and camping atFish Ponds on its south bank (west ofNebo Center) or 3.625 miles up river on the north bank, at a riverside grove of willows and cottonwoods, festooned with wild grapes, calledGrapevines (later the site of North Barstow). In 1859, theMojave Road followed a route that was established from Los Angeles toFort Mojave through Grapevines that linked eastward with theBeale Wagon Road across northernNew Mexico Territory to Santa Fe.
Troubles with thePaiute,Mojave, andChemehuevi tribes followed, and from 1860Camp Cady, aU.S. Army post 20 miles (32 km) east of Barstow, was occupied sporadically until 1864, then permanently, by soldiers occupying other posts on the Mojave Road or patrolling in the region until 1871.[13] Trading posts were established at Grapevines and Fish Ponds that supplied travelers on the roads and increasingly the miners that came into the Mojave Desert after the end of hostilities with the native people.[14]
Barstow's roots also lie in the rich mining history of theMojave Desert following the discovery of gold and silver in theOwens Valley and in mountains to the east in the 1860s and 1870s. Due to the influx of miners arriving inCalico andDaggett, railroads were constructed to transport goods and people. The Southern Pacific built a line fromMojave, California through Barstow toNeedles in 1883. In 1884, ownership of the line from Needles to Mojave was transferred to theSanta Fe Railroad.
Paving the major highways through Barstow led to further development of the city. Much of its economy depends on transportation. Before the advent of the interstate highway system, Barstow was an important stop on both Routes66 and91. The two routes met in downtown Barstow and continued west together to Los Angeles. The intersection of U.S. Route 91 andU.S. Route 466 was among the busiest intersections in the country—with about 800 gallons of gasoline being pumped per day nearby, during the year beforeInterstate 40 was extended to bypass Barstow.[15] By the end of the 20th century, U.S. Routes 40, 91, and 466 were renamed or truncated as to no longer cover California and Nevada—with Interstates15 and 40 now being the main interstate highways going in and out of Barstow.[16]
Barstow is named afterWilliam Barstow Strong, former president of theAtchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway.[17] Some early Barstow names were Camp Sugarloaf, Grapevine, Waterman Junction and Fishpond.[18][19][20]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 107.2 km2 (41.4 sq mi), 99.98% land and 0.02% water.[21]
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Barstow experiences anarid climate, and has four seasons. Summer days are very hot, with highs typically exceeding 100 °F (37.8 °C). Winter, in contrast, is characterized by cold mornings, with lows near 30 °F (−1.1 °C). Daily temperature ranges are largely a result of the low atmospheric moisture, typically between 25 and 30 °F (14 and 17 °C) difference. There are an average of 133 days with highs of 90 °F (32.2 °C) or higher, an average of 68 days with highs of 100 °F (37.8 °C) degrees or higher, and an average of 32 days with lows of 32 °F (0 °C) or lower.[22]
The average annual precipitation is[23] 4.96 inches (126 mm), with nearly 80% of rain typically falling during the cooler months (Nov–Apr). Snowfall is uncommon in winter, and many years can go by without any measurable snowfall. There are an average of 24 days annually with measurable precipitation.
The record high was 120 °F (48.9 °C) on July 23, 1996, and the record low was 3 °F (−16.1 °C) on January 13, 1963. The wettest year was 1918 with 10.99 inches (279.1 mm) and the driest year was 1904 with 0.80 inches (20.3 mm). The most rainfall in one month was 4.22 inches (107.2 mm) in February 1998. The heaviest rainfall in 24 hours was 2.28 inches (57.9 mm) on September 10, 1976. The most snowfall in one month was 25 inches (640 mm) in January 1949, including 7 inches (177.8 mm) January 12; that month was one of the coldest and snowiest in southern California history.[24][25]
| Climate data for Barstow, California, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1903–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 83 (28) | 87 (31) | 93 (34) | 99 (37) | 107 (42) | 114 (46) | 120 (49) | 113 (45) | 113 (45) | 102 (39) | 91 (33) | 86 (30) | 120 (49) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 59.0 (15.0) | 62.8 (17.1) | 69.7 (20.9) | 76.9 (24.9) | 85.7 (29.8) | 96.0 (35.6) | 102.1 (38.9) | 101.0 (38.3) | 93.3 (34.1) | 80.9 (27.2) | 67.5 (19.7) | 57.4 (14.1) | 79.4 (26.3) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 47.1 (8.4) | 51.1 (10.6) | 57.0 (13.9) | 63.1 (17.3) | 71.3 (21.8) | 80.5 (26.9) | 86.9 (30.5) | 85.7 (29.8) | 78.3 (25.7) | 66.8 (19.3) | 54.5 (12.5) | 46.2 (7.9) | 65.7 (18.7) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 35.3 (1.8) | 39.4 (4.1) | 44.2 (6.8) | 49.4 (9.7) | 56.9 (13.8) | 65.0 (18.3) | 71.8 (22.1) | 70.4 (21.3) | 63.3 (17.4) | 52.6 (11.4) | 41.6 (5.3) | 34.9 (1.6) | 52.1 (11.2) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 3 (−16) | 11 (−12) | 19 (−7) | 28 (−2) | 34 (1) | 40 (4) | 48 (9) | 48 (9) | 32 (0) | 21 (−6) | 14 (−10) | 8 (−13) | 3 (−16) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 0.76 (19) | 0.98 (25) | 0.59 (15) | 0.30 (7.6) | 0.06 (1.5) | 0.04 (1.0) | 0.26 (6.6) | 0.17 (4.3) | 0.25 (6.4) | 0.35 (8.9) | 0.40 (10) | 0.80 (20) | 4.96 (126) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 0.0 (0.0) | trace | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.3 (0.76) | 0.3 (0.76) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 3.9 | 4.2 | 2.6 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 1.6 | 3.0 | 21.9 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.01 in) | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.2 |
| Source: NOAA[23][22]/WRCC (1903–1980 records)[25] | |||||||||||||
The native vegetation is dominated by high and lowdesert shrubs such ascreosote bush. City residents have introduced many non-native plants, prominent among which are trees such asAleppo pine,Morus alba,Italian cypress,fan palm,ailanthus,ash,palo verde andredbud.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 6,135 | — | |
| 1960 | 11,644 | 89.8% | |
| 1970 | 17,442 | 49.8% | |
| 1980 | 17,690 | 1.4% | |
| 1990 | 21,472 | 21.4% | |
| 2000 | 21,119 | −1.6% | |
| 2010 | 22,639 | 7.2% | |
| 2020 | 25,415 | 12.3% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 24,897 | [26] | −2.0% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[27] | |||
The2020 United States census reported that Barstow had a population of 25,415. The population density was 615.4 inhabitants per square mile (237.6/km2). The racial makeup of Barstow was 37.2%White, 19.5%African American, 2.7%Native American, 2.9%Asian, 1.4%Pacific Islander, 19.5% fromother races, and 16.7% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino of any race were 44.4% of the population.[28]
The census reported that 98.7% of the population lived in households, 0.8% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0.4% were institutionalized.[28]
There were 8,790 households, out of which 40.4% included children under the age of 18, 33.9% were married-couple households, 9.2% werecohabiting couple households, 34.7% had a female householder with no partner present, and 22.2% had a male householder with no partner present. 26.0% of households were one person, and 9.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.85.[28] There were 5,970families (67.9% of all households).[29]
The age distribution was 31.0% under the age of 18, 9.7% aged 18 to 24, 26.3% aged 25 to 44, 20.9% aged 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.3 males.[28]
There were 9,620 housing units at an average density of 232.9 units per square mile (89.9 units/km2), of which 8,790 (91.4%) were occupied. Of these, 43.8% were owner-occupied, and 56.2% were occupied by renters.[28]
In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that 9.9% of the population were foreign-born. Of all people aged 5 or older, 75.4% spoke only English at home, 21.7% spokeSpanish, 0.4% spoke otherIndo-European languages, 2.0% spoke Asian or Pacific Islander languages, and 0.4% spoke other languages. Of those aged 25 or older, 83.8% were high school graduates and 11.1% had a bachelor's degree.[30]
The median household income was $51,811, and theper capita income was $25,531. About 18.3% of families and 23.2% of the population were below the poverty line.[31]
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Barstow has a series ofmurals along Main Street, depicting scenes from the city's history. These murals were created by Main Street Murals, a local non-profit organization.
Barstow Branch Library is located at 304 E. Buena Vista Street. It is a community venue, running various activities such as a summer reading program for children, story and craft sessions as well as a mystery book club.
Skyline Drive-In, adrive-in theater located in the north-east outskirts of the city at 31175 Old Highway 58, is one of the last operating in San Bernardino County. It has two screens; each screen shows two movies every night during operating season.[32]
Barstow Station Cinema is D'Place is the city's indoor cinema. It has six screens and can be found at 1503 East Main Street, in the east side of the city.[33]
Barstow Community College has a $22 million Performing Arts Center which hosts college theatre and music performances, and traveling professional performances.
Barstow has a number of museums: Mojave River Valley Museum, Route 66 Mother Road Museum, the Western America Rail Museum, and the Desert Discovery Center.
Once a year a family opens their Black History collection to the public and nearby Fort Irwin is home to the 11 Cavalry and ACR Museum. TheOld Woman meteorite, the largest meteorite found in California and the second largest in the United States, is housed in the Desert Discovery Center.
TheCasa Del Desierto, built in 1911 as aHarvey House hotel and train station, now houses the Route 66 Mother Road Museum, theWestern America Railroad Museum and still functions as an (unstaffed)Amtrak station. The Barstow Chamber of Commerce sponsors an annual sandcastle contest in the dry riverbed across from the Harvey House.
Opened in 1975 and operating 365 days a year, Barstow Station is built to resemble a railway station. The location serves 20,000 tour buses a year and is a popular stop for travelers onInterstate 15. It includes a number of gift shops, an ice cream parlour, aPanda Express,Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, KHWY radio station, and aGreyhound ticket terminal.
TheMcDonald's restaurant at Barstow Station consists of three side-by-side railroad cars—a reference to Barstow's railroad heritage. In September 1986, the restaurant was destroyed by fire when a customer's car burst into flames at the drive-up window.[34] In June 1997, the re-built restaurant received national attention when a gunman opened fire during a botched robbery, injuring several people and killing a nine-year-old girl. The gunman was mortally wounded by an off-duty police officer after the ensuing gun battle and later died in a hospital.[35]
Located southwest of the town is the upscale Outlets at Barstow, which is a popular stop for tourists traveling between Greater Los Angeles and Las Vegas.[36] An older shopping center ofoutlet stores, the Barstow Outlets (formerly Factory Merchants at Barstow), is located opposite of the Outlets at Barstow, but has since closed.
The city has an enclosed shopping mall,Barstow Mall, built in the 1970s. It was renovated in 2010 and now includes the County of San Bernardino's new social service office for the Transition Assistance Department and Children and Family Services.
TheUnited States Army'sNational Training Center (NTC) andNASA'sGoldstone Deep Space Communications Complex are located at the nearbyFort Irwin, north of Barstow. The Goldstone Complex includes thePioneer Deep Space Station, which has been designated a U.S.National Historic Landmark.
Calico Ghost Town is one of the few remaining original mining towns of the western United States, now preserved as a museum byWalter Knott.
Rainbow Basin is anArea of Critical Environmental Concern due to landscape features and paleontological resources in the area.[37] Located 8 miles (13 km) north of Barstow, its landscape, multi-colored rock formations and canyons are visited by photographers, hikers, and campers.[38] ThefossiliferousBarstow Formation (Miocene) is well exposed there. Rainbow Basin is managed by theBureau of Land Management's Barstow Field Office.
Coyote Dry Lake is a 30 square miles (78 km2)dry lake located 15 miles (24 km) northeast of Barstow.
Lava tubes aroundPisgah Crater offerspelunking opportunities.[39]
The Solar Project is located in Daggett, CA, about 10 miles (16 km) east of Barstow.
Barstow was home to the Barstow Riffians, a developmental semi-professional football team. The Barstow Riffians were members of the UFAL.[40] The team ceased operations following the 2010–11 season.
The city offers adult basketball and softball leagues.[41]
Barstow Community College's athletics department offers four competitive intercollegiate sports programs: men's and women's basketball, baseball, and softball.[42]
Barstow has two main parks: the Barstow Skate Park,[43] a 12,000 square-foot skate park, and the Robert A. Sessions Memorial Sportspark,[44] which includes six lighted ball fields, three soccer fields, volleyball courts, batting cages as well as basketball courts. The Robert A. Sessions Memorial Sportspark also plays host to regional softball tournaments.
The city also has the Dana Park Community Center open on weekdays, the Cora Harper Fitness Center and Tennis Courts open Monday to Saturday, and the outdoor Eda Henderson Pool open Tuesdays to Sundays throughout the school summer holidays.[45]
Founded in the 1970s by two local residents,[46] the thriving Barstow Senior Center serves Barstow's seniors. In addition to daily, weekly, and monthly activities, there is also an onsite thrift store and lunches are served every weekday. The center is funded via annual membership fees and sponsorship.
According to the city's most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the city's various funds had $33.1 million in revenues, $37.2 million in expenditures, $149.8 million in total assets, $25.3 million in total liabilities, and $52.6 million in cash and investments.[47] The structure of the management and coordination of city services is:[48]
The Barstow Youth Advisory Council (BYAC) was established in March 2009. Thirteen teen advocates advise Barstow City Council members on the needs of young people in the city and promote youth community involvement through voluntary activities.[49]
In theCalifornia State Legislature, Barstow is inthe 19th senatorial district, represented byRepublican Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh,[50] and inthe 34th Assembly district, represented byRepublican Tom Lackey.[51]
In theUnited States House of Representatives, Barstow is inCalifornia's 23rd congressional district, represented byRepublican Jay Obernolte.[52]
Its long distance from larger cities and urban centers has created economic problems, and Barstow is seeking projects to boost the economy. However, there are three casinos planned for the area.[53] Additionally, various construction projects have been announced for Barstow, which include retail growth, an increase in lodging accommodation, and other businesses.[54][55]
In October 2022, BNSF committed to expanding the Barstow Rail yard into the Barstow International Gateway, over 4,500 acres (1,800 ha) at a cost of 1.5 billion dollars to reducedwell time at thePort of Los Angeles.[56][57][58][59][60] In response, the city adopted a new logo and changed its motto to "the Hub of the West".[61] It is also in the process of changing zoning to accommodate the logistics industry that surrounds the expanded BNSF facility.[62]
According to the city,[63] the top employers in the area in 2020 were:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ft. Irwin National Training Center | 8,900 |
| 2 | Marine Corps Logistics Base | 1,700 |
| 3 | BNSF Railroad | 1,000 |
| 4 | Barstow Unified School District | 958 |
| 5 | Outlets at Barstow | 480 |
| 6 | Raytheon Tech Services | 400 |
| 7 | Barstow Community College | 377 |
| 8 | Barstow Community Hospital | 348 |
| 9 | Walmart | 305 |
| 10 | Silver Valley Unified School District | 300 |
Barstow Unified School District has eight elementary schools (grades 1–6):
Currently operating:
Grades 7–8 are taught at Barstow Junior High School and grades 9–12 are taught atBarstow High School.
Charter Schools:
Barstow Community College is the only college in the area, and its primary objectives are to enable students to transfer to a four-year college or university and learn vocational trades through career technical education.
Park University has a campus located at the Marine Corps logistics base, which accepts local civilian students as well as military personnel and their dependents.[66] Park also offers classes on the community college campus.
Closed schools:
The town's local newspaper was established in 1910 as theBarstow Printer.[69] It became theDesert Dispatch in 1958,[70] and was merged into theVictorville Daily Press in 2017.[71]
Barstow's main radio station isKDUC (or "K-DUCK"), which plays adult contemporary music and also servesVictorville,Apple Valley,Hesperia andRidgecrest, California.
"We were somewhere around Barstow on the edge of the desert when the drugs began to take hold" is the opening sentence ofHunter S. Thompson'sFear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
Barstow City Council has a dedicated film office, which acts as a point of liaison and resources for film locations, equipment and accommodation for filmmakers and their crews.[72] A number of notable motion pictures were shot in the city,[73] includingBroken Arrow,[citation needed]Courage Under Fire,[citation needed]From Dusk till Dawn,[citation needed]Gattaca,[citation needed]Erin Brockovich,[citation needed] andKill Bill: Volume 2.[citation needed] Other notable mentions of Barstow include the 2008 filmLeaving Barstow, which tells the story of a high school senior who must choose between his ambitions to leave Barstow or stay in the city to care for his mother. The fictionalBrian O'Conner in2 Fast 2 Furious grew up in Barstow and travels to the city to persuade a former childhood best friendRoman Pearce to join him in anFBI operation.
The filmFear and Loathing in Las Vegas mentions Barstow frequently.
Barstow is also mentioned in the 2009 filmThe Hangover before the road trip from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Thefilm version ofHair was partially filmed in Barstow in the late 1970s. Blinkey, cousin of popular 80's alien characterALF, is said to live in Barstow.
In 2015, Barstow was one of the filming locations for the filmSky as well asBombay Beach,Hinkley,Joshua Tree,Landers,Lenwood,Ludlow,Newberry Springs, andVictorville, California.[citation needed]
Barstow is the topic of the documentaryBarstow, California (2018) by German director Rainer Komers featuring voice overs ofSpoon Jackson's poems and memoirBy Heart.[citation needed]
Barstow was featured byHuell Howser inRoad Trip Episode 101.[74]
"Barstow Cowboy in Old Barstow" was a 1941 song by comedian/musicianSpike Jones.
Barstow is mentioned in the lyrics of "Route 66" composed by Bobby Troup.
ComposerHarry Partch wrote "Barstow," inspired by eight pieces of graffiti written by hitchhikers on highway railings in the city.[75]].
The Residents' song "Death in Barstow" (1979) tells the story of two friends who visit and fall asleep in Barstow. One of the friends awakes to find that his friend has died.
Bill Morrissey's song "Barstow" (1984, the first song on his first record) is about a group of men drinking one night in a Barstow train yard, with the notable line "I can't believe it gets this cold in Barstow".
Sheryl Crow's "Leaving Las Vegas" mentions spending the night in Barstow.
Goodnight, Texas's song "Barstow" is a tale of a gold miner chasing his dream to the town, only to find that Barstow does not have any gold.[76]
Victor Valley Transit Authority is the local transportation system.[77] It covers the city of Barstow and the surrounding areas in San Bernardino County. BAT operates three fixed city bus routes on an hourly schedule, a dial-a-ride service for seniors and persons with disabilities and two county routes servingHinkley,Yermo,Daggett, andNewberry Springs.[78] The county services operate on a fixed route with adeviation zone and a flexible time schedule. When requested in advance, the county bus travels off the fixed route to pick up or drop off passengers within the deviation zone. Unless passengers hold a monthly or day pass, there is an additional charge for this service. All city and county buses connect at Barstow City Hall Transport Center. Intercity buses that serve Barstow includeGreyhound,Orange Belt Stages, Intercalifornias,TUFESA, and Fronteras del Norte, andFlixBus.[79][80]
TheHarvey House Railroad Depot is served twice daily byAmtrak'sSouthwest Chief, from Chicago to Los Angeles and reverse. Connections can also be made on multipleAmtrak Thruway bus services toLas Vegas and other destinations. Rail freight is provided by theBNSF Railway and theUnion Pacific Railroad.
Barstow-Daggett Airport is the local airport that servesgeneral aviation but has no commercial service.
Roads are the main method of transport. The primary arteries serving Barstow areInterstate 40,Interstate 15, andCalifornia State Route 58. ATesla Supercharger station is available.[81]
Barstow Community Hospital is a 56-bed hospital serving the surrounding High Desert community. Opened in 1958, the hospital was named one of the "100 Top Hospitals in the Nation" for two consecutive years in the late 1990s.[82] The new Barstow Community Hospital, which opened its doors to the community in October 2012, is a 30-bed acute care facility with inpatient and outpatient services, and medical, surgical and emergency care.
Barstow has its own police department, plus a regional station of theSan Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, which serves the unincorporated areas around the city, includingNewberry Springs,Trona,Baker andLudlow.
Fire prevention and paramedic services are provided by the Barstow Fire Protection District.
On November 19, 2010, Barstow residents were warned that the area water system was contaminated.[83] A local area military base,Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow notified Golden State Water that samples taken from their water system showed the chemicalperchlorate at levels above the maximum contaminant level of 6 parts per billion. Perchlorate is found in rocket propellant, fireworks, explosives, flares, matches and industrial byproducts. Golden State Water Co. handed out free bottled water to residents. The "Do Not Drink" water advisory ended five days later on November 24, 2010.[84]
The Mountain View Memorial Park (also called Mt. View Cemetery), located on Irwin Road, was established in 1937; an Independent Special District for the cemetery was created in 1947 as Barstow Cemetery District.[85][86][87] Notable burials include MLB pitcherBob Rhoads.[88] In 2021 the San Bernardino County Local Agency Formation Commission determined that the Cemetery District was fiscally unstable, Which triggered a special study about dissolving the cemetery district[89]
This intersection with U.S. 91 and 466 was one of the busiest intersections in the country in the 1950s. To illustrate the economic impact of the interstate, the Standard station at the lower right pumped about 800 gallons of gas per day the year before Route 40 bypassed downtown Barstow.
With Interstates 15 and 40, and highways 58 and 247 all converging in Barstow, the city is a major transportation corridor with more than 60 million people in 19 million vehicles traveling through Barstow each year.
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